Two of the British medical students who have crossed into Islamic State-held areas are a brother and sister in their early 20s whose family are the latest to join a frantic group of relatives at the Turkish border.

The pair’s father flew to a Turkish border town early on Saturday, and drove to meet the other families who have set up temporary camp in a hotel near Isis-controlled parts of Syria.

The group of parents are trying to convince their children to come home, and many have pledged not to leave Turkey without them. The children have been sending their families regular messages insisting they are well, but have not said where they are.

All of the group, believed to be 11 or 12 strong, had Sudanese roots and were studying medicine or recent graduates from medical school living in Khartoum. A majority are British citizens but a couple are thought to be Sudanese.

The siblings are in their early 20s and their first names are believed to be Tamir and Logain, according to Turkish politician Mehmet Ali Ediboglu, who is helping the parents in their search.

Their names were not included in a list Ediboglu provided of the British medics who had gone across the border, but he said he now thought two of those he originally named may have other nationalities.

The Foreign Office is understood to be helping the families of seven of the students, who have approached it for assistance, and has asked the Turkish police to help search for them.

“We are providing consular assistance to families of British nationals who are believed to be missing after travelling to Turkey,” a Foreign Office spokesman said. “We are also working closely with the Turkish police to try to establish their whereabouts.”

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The Home Office has said the medics would not automatically face prosecution under anti-terror laws if they tried to return to the UK, as long as they could prove they had not been fighting.

The group flew from Sudan to Istanbul then took a bus to the border, and are believed to have crossed over around 14 March. The first of their parents arrived that same day, after one of the students tipped off her sister that she was travelling across the Turkish border.

“Don’t worry about us, we’ve reached Turkey and are on our way to volunteer helping wounded Syrian people,” medical student Lena Maumoon Abdulqadir wrote.

Her father rushed to try to stop her, and also raised the alert among other British Sudanese families with children studying in Khartoum. It soon became clear that several had children among the medical group.

How a WhatsApp message told British families their children had entered Syria
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The UK is believed to be home to the oldest Sudanese diaspora in the west, made up of professionals, business people, academics and students, joined in more recent years by asylum seekers fleeing civil war.

Before the 1970s, the Sudanese community in Britain was small and mostly comprising business people and students.

In recent years, there has been an influx of southern Sudanese refugees. Some have travelled from other EU states, such as Germany and Sweden, drawn to the UK by the desire to join family and friends as well as to live in an English-speaking country.

In 2001, the UK census registered 10,671 Sudanese-born residents, but that number is thought to have grown, and the wider British Sudanese community now includes thousands of people with Sudanese roots who were born and raised in the UK.

According to estimates from the World Bank in 2008, the UK was the fifth most popular destination for Sudanese emigrants in 2005, after Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Chad, and the United States.

NEW DELHI: Government extended the bidding deadline by private firms for management, operation and development of four AAI-run airports due to HR-related and other issues, a top official said today.

There are many issues. There are issues relating to human resources. A concerted decision has to be taken (on such issues). Whatever are the concerns of the employees, they have to be addressed,” Airports Authority of India chairman R K Srivastava told reporters.

He said the service conditions of employees should not be “compromised with” and that the AAI was trying to fast track the privatisation process.

We have to now formulate the Request for Proposal,” he said, adding, “We are ensuring that all timelines are met.”

The AAI, which had invited Request for Qualification (RFQ) to handover the management, operations and development of Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur and Ahmedabad Airports last year, had last week extended the RFQ submission date from March 24 to May 26. It had, however, not given any reason for pushing the deadline at that time.

The union had given a strike call on March 11 to protest the move, which it deferred till further notice following the intervention from the chief labour commissioner.

The CLC has fixed March 30 as the next date of meeting between the union and the management.

The Government is now contemplating to incorporate a 100 per cent manpower absorption clause for the bidders to pacify the union on the issue.

In the earlier OMDA (operations, management and development agreement) with the GMR and GVK group, who now operate Delhi and Mumbai airports, the provision was for 60 per cent absorption of AAI manpower by private operators.

Corporates including Tata and Adani groups and existing airport operators GMR and GVK groups besides some foreign players have shown interest in the these airports following the RFQ.

New Delhi: Justifying their consultations with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit here, Kashmiri separatist leaders on Monday said they were trying to assist India and Pakistan in resolving the “complex” issue of Kashmir which needed a political approach.

They also downplayed Basit’s invitation to them for attending Pakistan’s National Day celebrations.

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who met Basit yesterday, said the “complex” Kashmir issue needed a “political approach”.

“Hurriyat’s main agenda is that stakeholders involved — India, Pakistan and Kashmiris — will have to move together to solve the problem…. It is the only way out to avoid killing of innocent civilians and army men and other destruction.

“They (the stakeholders) have to find a solution to the problem. All of us understand one fact that there cannot be a military solution and there can be no solution through violence. So, how do we move forward? We try to engage with everyone,” he said while wondering why his meeting Basit was being portrayed negatively.

Echoing similar sentiments, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Yasin Malik said he has been attending the Pakistan National Day celebrations over the past 22 years.

“I am here just to attend the function as so many other people here will be… Indian politicians, Indian journalists will be there. It’s a function I am attending for the last 22 years,” he said.

The Mirwaiz along with Abdul Gani Bhat, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Bilal Gani Lone, Aga Syed Hassan, Mussadiq Adil and Mukhtar Ahmad Waza had gone to Basit’s residence yesterday night for talks.

India had called off foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan last year after Basit held consultations with Hurriyat leaders on the eve of the official talks.

This meeting comes a fortnight after Basit had gone to the Delhi residence of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and updated him about the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to Islamabad and issues discussed during his meetings there.

While meetings between Pakistani diplomats and Kashmiri separatist Hurriyat leaders have been a regular practice for the last 30 years, the issue has always irked India, which has maintained that resolution of Indo-Pak issues including Jammu and Kashmir have to be done bilaterally between the leadership of the two countries.

PTI

With farm activities gaining momentum thanks to intermittent rains after the onset of northeast monsoon, the Agriculture department has cautioned farmers against excessive use of urea, the nitrogenous fertilizer widely used as a top dressing for paddy crops.

Excessive application of urea would help the crops grow quickly and turn greenish in colour, but it would also bring pest and diseases to the crops and affect the yield, S.S Shaiek Abdullah, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Quality Control), has said in a press release here on Monday. Instead of applying urea alone, the farmers could apply other nitrogenous fertilizers such as Ammonium Chloride and Ammonium Phosphate. They could also apply DAP, Potash and NPK complex as a combined fertilizer, he said adding balanced application of nutrients would ensure healthy growth of crops.

As per the recommendations, farmers could use 44 kg of urea per acre in rain-fed areas and 64 kg in semi rain-fed areas, he said adding instead of applying the required quantity at one go, the farmers could split the same in two or three doses and apply them by mixing with neem cake at a ratio of 5:1.

He said paddy crops in 1.05 hectares in the district were in good condition thanks to the recent rains. The district received 535 mm of rainfall so far since January this year, exceeding the normal rainfall level of 508 mm.

Mr. Abdullah said that during this season, the farmers had so far procured 2,446 tonnes of urea, 445 tonnes of DAP, 205 tonnes of Potash and 628 tonnes of NPK complex from private dealers and from Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Societies (PACCS). As on Monday, the stock position stood at 1,711 tonnes of urea, 1,399 tonnes of DAP, 175 tonnes of Potash and 1,236 tonnes of NPK complex, he said.

Joint Director N.V. Krishnamurthy said the district administration was taking steps to ensure free availability of fertilizers at prices fixed by the government. He warned action against dealers if they failed to display the price list and stock position, he said. Surprise inspections were conducted in the last three days and show cause notices issued against those who violated provisions of Fertilisers Control Order, 1985, he said.

The Grand Finale of Lakme Fasion week was to be held at the heritage Bhau Daji Lad museum in Byculla yesterday. Everything was disturbed by the sudden entry of 40 MNS workers who stormed into the venue and started vandalizing everything they could get their hands on.

When the situation got out of control the organizers were compelled to shift the venue back to Phoneix Mall at the last moment.

According to Tasneem Mehta, managing trustee and honorary director of the museum, said that “They are trying to intimidate us and behave like moral police. He further said such shows are held at museums all around the world. revenues collect from such shows goes into educational programmes, buying arte facts and keeping the museum functioning, said its managing trustee and honorary director, Tasneem Mehta.

According to MNS such shows in museums cannot be organized as it is public property and permission was not granted to the organizers.

To the contrary the organizers claim that all concerned permissions were taken much before the commencement of the program.

Tarun Tahiliani’s vibrant, iconic collection inspired by The Singh Twins’ paintings at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015 was presented by Reliance Trends

Mumbai, 22 March, 2015: It was a casual walk in a museum that inspired India’s ace couturier to create a vibrant colourful collection. Reliance Trends presented The Czar of Couture, Tarun Tahiliani’s “Past Modern” collection inspired by the work of The Singh Twins at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2015.
The award winning Singh Twins’ revived the technique of miniature paintings, which Tarun translated beautifully onto digitally printed clothes. Using selective elements from different paintings to complement his creations, Tarun brought the Mughal sensibilities with a touch of contemporary, playful zest and verse onto the collection.
Giant tassels were suspended from the ceiling of the Palladium Ballroom; while brass lamps and wooden angels positioned on head ramp created an old world charm. Against the back drop of an AV featuring frames of miniature paintings and the pulsating live beat of drums by Samander Khan and his Quawwals, the wildly colourful show started.
The saris were a riot of colour with startling LED like borders that gave the traditional drape a New Age avatar. The dhoti sari and many more versions of the 6-yard wonder kept the audience enthralled.
Focusing on borders with Persian motifs that framed the garments occasionally in multiple layers, Tarun used them solo or in unison for leggings and dresses. Soon there were flowing soft silk kaftans, where the paintings were visualised in all their beauty.
Fitted gilets, dhoti and lungi skirts, jewelled Tees for evening glamour, hand painted gold kalis that were reminiscent of a Klimt painting, kedeo tops and kalidaar kurtas completed the wide fashion menu. Touches of Russian folk art were seen along with geometric patterns that emerged from sleeves, lapels and linings.
When it came to colour selection, Tarun was very generous as white led the list with black, followed by muted tones and some bold bright hues like rust, orange and red to violet dark blue. Embellishments in resham were followed by the designer’s favourite chikankari, which added to the drama of the ensembles.
Red layered midi with swatches of fabrics around it, yellow front gathered maxi, wide pleated pants, lots of loose poncho tops, a great emphasis on ornate cummerbunds, Obe belts and shorts with shirt tail tops were some of the creations. The empire line kedeo with sarong, layered tulle asymmetric gown, shaded blue, yellow, low crotch salwars, draped sari and the yellow, lace, peplum blouse over draped dhoti sari added to the glam quotient of the show.
Men’s wear included lots of wildly printed shirts, waistcoats with or without quilting; sherwani with cowl drape, a set of shaded blue/ green sherwani and waistcoat and long coats, with placement prints gave the line a very vibrantly hued appearance.
Closing the show was the very lovely Bollywood beauty, Chitrangada Singh who sashayed down the ramp in a long sleeve multicoloured blouse with a voluminous colourful layered net and printed skirt and an impressive cummerbund.
For a fashion line that will allow the wearer to stop conversation at any seasonal soirée, Tarun Tahiliani’s “Past Modern” collection presented by Reliance Trends will be the perfect choice as it offered numerous mix and match options for all seasons.

About Lakmé:
Contemporary Indian beauty expert Lakmé continuously innovates to offer a wide range of, high performance and world class color cosmetics, skincare products, and beauty salons. In addition to leveraging Unilever’s worldwide expertise, Lakmé also partners with the leading cosmetic house Milan-based Intercos Italia, Schwann Stabilo Germany and Paris-based Fiabila. Combining international cosmetic technology with an in-depth understanding of the Indian woman’s needs, Lakmé also offers its consumers a comprehensive beauty experience through its products and services at the Lakmé Salons and Studios. For further information log on to www.lakméindia.com

About IMG Reliance:
IMG Reliance Pvt Ltd., is an equal joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), India’s largest and most recognized private sector company, and IMG Worldwide (IMG), the world’s leading sports marketing and management company. The joint venture company will develop, market and manage sports and entertainment in India. Its current assets include India’s premier fashion event, Lakmé Fashion Week and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour event, the Aircel Chennai Open. IMG Reliance has entered agreements with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) to create a new professional basketball league and manage all aspects of the commercial rights to the game in India and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), to improve, popularize and promote the game of football throughout India, from the grassroots to the professional level. IMG Reliance has also created a scholarship program to identify and train talented young Indians from sports including – basketball, soccer and tennis-at IMG’s world-class sports training facilities at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida.

9Exclusive reporting by Rel News of India team)

Gudi Padwa, the first day of the Hindu calendar was observed with great fervour in the city. Maharashtrians started
the day with Gudi puja and prabhat feri or shovayatra to mark the beginning of the New Year.

This year’s biggest Gudi padwa sovayatra has been organized in Belapur by Nava Barsa Sovayatra Manch. As many as 100 women will take part in the bike rally wearing Nauwari. The preparation will begin from Friday when homemakers will gather on the road to draw rangolis. The rally will kick off at 8am from Kalimata mandir at sector 8B and conclude at Albela Hanuman temple at 9.30am. During the course, school children will perform lazim drill and aerobics. Women will also display traditional Marathi ‘khel’or sports like Phugree and Jeemma.

Similarily Bajarang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and RSS oragnized a massive rally which started from Juhu Gardens till Gajdhar Bandh Road. The rally had a colorful procession with 10 different chariots laden with young people clad in different Indian Cultural attires.

Ashish Selar in his brief speech marked the day as a happy occasion for Hindus. He further stated that the youth should be cultured, disciplined and have have loyalty towards the country. Selar announced the ban of beef in Maharshtra as a great achievement and effort of RSS, BJP, Bajrang Dal and VHP.

According to Mahesh Achraya an executive of the RSS said the rally was peaceful which was well participated by the local people. He said a Bhandara was organized in the night were than thousand people ate in delight.

Mumbai, March 21 — Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who started off doing character roles as well as smaller films, seems to be going mainstream now.
After tasting success with the blockbuster Kick (2014), he was appreciated for his act in the recently released Badlapur. Now, the actor, who is shooting with both Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan simultaneously, is quite excited about his list of releases this year.
“I am part of two big-budget films. While Bajrangi Bhaijaan starring Salman is releasing on Eid this year, I am not officially told about the release of the one with Shah Rukh. But this year has started very well for me,” says Nawaz.
The actor feels that, just like 2012, in which he had hits such as Paan Singh Tomar, Kahaani and Gangs Of Wasseypur series among others, this year, too, will be fulfilling for him. He is also playing a pivotal role in a Ketan Mehta directorial, based on the life of a mountaineer, which is likely to release this year.
“This year is as exciting as 2012, as I have three to four releases,” adds Nawaz.
– See more at: http://www.bollywood.com/celebrities/nawazuddin-siddiqui/news/hopeful-2015-nawaz#sthash.GqZexW9L.dpuf

London, Mar 22 (ANI): Elizabeth Hurley, who has been single since 2013 after her split with Shane Warne, admitted that she has no time for love.
‘The Royals’ star recently appeared on ‘The Jonathan Ross Show’ and said that she was single, but currently she had been working more than ever and her career was her priority, the Daily Express reported.
When asked about the 49-year-old actress’ ex Hugh Grant, about whom she gushed in a recent interview, explained that she and the actor couldn’t have a reunion, but he was a good friend that anyone could have. (ANI)

Mumbai: At a time when incidents such as rapes and molestation are on the rise across the country, a fearless girl in Maharashtra has set an example for those who look up to the government and society for their safety.

When attacked by a drunk man at Mumbai’s Kandivali station earlier this week, Pradnya Mandhare did not only singlehandedly fight him off but also dragged him by his hair to the nearest police station.

20-year old Mandhare, a third-year Bachelor of Mass Media student at Sathaye College in Vile Parle, got down at the Kandivali station while going to her home in Borivali from her college.

While she was waiting for another train at around 2:30 pm, a drunk man approached her and started touching her “inappropriately”.

“When I tried to avoid him, he grabbed me. I was shocked for a couple of seconds, but then I started hitting him with my bag,” a newspaper quoted the student as saying.

More shocking was the fact that none from the crowd came forward to help her when the incident occurred. She then did what we do not witness usually; she fiercely grabbed the 25-year-old man by his hair and dragged him to the nearest Government Railway Police (GRP) station.

“Most women are scared of approaching the police as filing a complaint is a lengthy process. But, I was firm on taking that man to the police,” the daily further quoted her as saying.

“Every woman should fight back in such cases and they should not keep quiet. Women are not objects for anyone to touch at will,” she added.